Stewardship Update

New Stewardship offer for 2018 **** APPLICATION WINDOW NOW OPEN SPEAK TO MATT FOR MORE DETAILS ON 07540 184927****

Four new Countryside Stewardship offers have been announced for the 2018 application window, for agreements to start on 1 January 2019.

These new offers will complement the existing Higher Tier as well as the Mid Tier offer which has been enhanced and will continue to be available, supporting agreements delivering organics, historic, water quality, wet grassland and traditional orchards.These four new offers are:

oOnline Arable Offer

oLowland Grazing Offer

oUpland Offer

oMixed Farming Offer

Online Arable Offer

·There are 11 arable options to choose from.

·Farmers must pick at least one option from each category and the package delivers the minimum 3% of farmed land under option management which is needed for farmland birds and wild pollinators.

·Farmers can select more options from the list if they wish, with no maximum amount (subject to any individual options requirements). The minimum number of options in the 5 year agreement is 3.

·Delivering the offer provides the year round benefits essential to birds and pollinating insects, and can help protect water quality.

Category 1. Nectar and pollen sources for insect pollinators and insect-rich foraging for birds (minimum 1 ha per 100 ha of farmed land included in the agreement, no maximum)

AB1

Nectar flower mix

£511

AB8

Flower-rich margins and plots

£539

Category 2. Winter food for seed-eating birds (minimum 2 ha per 100 ha farmed land included in the agreement, no maximum)

·These are divided into 3 categories in the table and delivering the package will provide year round food, shelter and nesting habitat for birds, and nectar sources and habitat for pollinating insects.

·Farmers must pick at least one option from category 1 and 2. The minimum number of options in the 5 year agreement is 2. Farmers can select more options if they wish.

Category 1. Nectar and pollen sources for insect pollinators and insect-rich foraging for birds (minimum 2 ha per 100 ha of farmed land included in the agreement, no maximum)

GS2

Permanent grassland with very low inputs (outside SDA)

£95

GS4

Legume and herb-rich swards

£309

Category 2. Nesting and shelter for insect pollinators and birds (minimum 500m of BE3 or 1 ha of GS1 per 100 ha farmed land included in the agreement, no maximum)

·As a minimum, farmers must pick 1 base option and 2 supplements or 2 base options and 1 supplement. The minimum number of options/supplements is 3, but Farmers can select more options if they wish.

·Selecting the right mix of options/supplements will help provide the right management for flower–rich meadows and nesting and foraging habitat for upland birds, including breeding waders. The option also help protect water quality.

Base options

GS5

Permanent grassland with very low inputs in SDAs

£16

UP1

Enclosed rough grazing

£39

UP2

Management of rough grazing for birds

£88

BE3

Management of hedgerows

£8/100m

Supplements

GS15

Haymaking supplement

£85

GS16

Rush control supplement

£73

GS17

Lenient grazing supplement

£44

SP6

Cattle grazing supplement

£45

Mixed Farming Offer

·There are 14 options to choose from.

·These are divided into 3 categories.

·Farmers must pick at least one option from category 1, 2 and 3, and delivering the package will provide year round food, shelter and nesting habitat for birds, and nectar sources and habitat for pollinating insects.

·Some category 3 options can help protect water quality and aquatic habitats. The minimum number of options in the 5 year agreement is 3.

Category 1. Nectar and pollen sources for insect pollinators and insect-rich foraging for birds (minimum 1 ha per 100 ha of farmed land included in the agreement for AB1 and AB8; 2ha for GS4. No maximum)

AB1

Nectar flower mix

£511

AB8

Flower-rich margins and plots

£539

GS4

Legume and herb-rich swards

£309

Category 2. Winter food for seed-eating birds (minimum 2 ha per 100 ha farmed land included in the agreement, no maximum)